By Friction Patents (Class 16/337)
  • Patent number: 4995579
    Abstract: An angle adjustment consists of an arm having a first axis fixed to a main body which supports a display so as to vertically stand up and a second axis allowed to stand up the display by rotation by connecting it to the display, a spring which energizes the second axis so as to rotate in the standing up direction of the display, a spring which locks the inclining falling down of the display by friction force being downwardly inserted into the first axis in a closely contact state, and a stopper mechanism which restricts a rotation angle of the second axis when the display vertically stands up by the spring. The angle adjustment of the display is performed around the first axis by a loading force more than the friction force of the locking spring by the energized force of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 4953259
    Abstract: A torque control for providing a desired frictional resistance to a pivotally mounted vehicle accessory, such as an armrest or headrest, which includes a resilient member having an irregular arcuate slot. A resistance element extends in the slot to move along the length thereof as the pivoted component pivots about the pivot axis. In one modification, the shape of the slot provides a desired predetermined frictional resistance and in another modification a cutout is made in one of the walls of the slot permitting such wall to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Dale J. Frye, Kenneth M. Lindberg, Alan L. Kindig, Robert J. Stander, Joseph B. Buonodono, Jeffrey D. Gras, David A. Ozios
  • Patent number: 4951349
    Abstract: A motion regulator for a hinge such as, for example, a tripartite eyeglass hinge, with at least two hinge tabs and a hinge screw, a sleeve surrounding the hinge screw disposed in a hinge eye of the hinge tab. The sleeve projects beyond the hinge tab and rests against a neighboring hinge tab or tabs. In order to obtain an objective that a braking torque, determining the motion characteristics of the hinge, is substantially constant and independent of the tightening torque of the hinge screw, a spring-elastic element is arranged at least between the hinge tab wherein the sleeve is located and the hinge tab movable with respect to this hinge tab. The spring-elastic element, resilient in the axial direction with respect to the hinge screw axis, is in contact under a pretensioning with a contact surface of at least one hinge tab, which surface is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the hinge screw axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Optische Werke G. Rodenstock
    Inventors: Anton Dietrich, Detlef Kreuz
  • Patent number: 4928350
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge construction of two mounting plates and a substantially U-shaped center link which connects the axes of pivot of the two plates. The link and plates contain stop mechanisms which determine their respective limits of pivot. In addition, the hinge contains a means for restraining the rotation of only one of the mounting plates around its corresponding link arm to insure a pattern of motion that is always consistent, and allows for the hinge to be mounted with a very narrow gap between the members being joined. The hinge of the present invention can be variably constructed to conform to a number of alternative uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: James C. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4916926
    Abstract: A locking apparatus includes a following member secured to a pivotal axis, a braking piece capable of preventing the member from rotating in a first direction in a first position and of freeing the member in a second position, and a locking device having a tumbler body capable of engaging with the piece in the manner that the braking piece is in the first position when the locking device is in a locking state and when in an unlocking state, the tumbler body can urge the piece to be in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Jin R. Shieh
  • Patent number: 4896398
    Abstract: A device for increasing the resistance and durability of an articulation mechanism, usable to control the position of a seat, includes a fixed flange rigidly connected with the seat and a movable flange rigidly connected with the movable part of the seat; these two flanges are rotatable with respect to each other by a mechanical assembly with a locking by suitable mechanism. The fixed flange carries, close to its periphery, a fine toothing that is not normally in contact with a fine continuous circular toothing provided on a peripheral circular element of the movable flange, these fine continuous circular toothings coming in contact with each other along a given length when the articulation mechanism is distorted as a consequence of a sudden shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: A. & M. Cousin Etablissements Cousin Freres
    Inventors: Yves Pipon, Bernard Chales
  • Patent number: 4838111
    Abstract: A limiting stop for the swinging angle of an arm which is pivotally mounted on a fixed structure. The stop consists of a pair of parallel links which are connected for relative sliding motion between at contracted position and an extended position. At least one of the links has an elongated slot and the other link has a laterally projecting tongue which extends into the slot for movement along the slot. One end of the slot has a stopping surface which is engaged by the tongue when the links are in the extended position for determining the swinging angle of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Siegenia-Frank KG
    Inventor: Karl H. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4833754
    Abstract: A supporting bracket including a track member, a slide, a stop member, a sash arm, a short link, a strut and a brace. The track member has a pair of folded side flanges along the length thereof with at least one of the folded side flanges which is subject to face toward a window sash being discontinuous at a central part thereof to define a cutout part; and a boss provided with a pivot pin having a central groove and a C-ring. The slide is movable along the track member and has a length substantially equal to the length of the cutout part. The stop member is secured to the track member and has a button shape with a central groove and a flattened portion. The stop member is turnable to a position with its rounded portion facing the slide to keep the slide within the side flanges and is turnable to a position with its flatten portion facing the slide such that the slide is releasable from the track member at the cutout part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Wu N. Yang
  • Patent number: 4788862
    Abstract: A plastic molded measuring scoop assembly includes a generally cylindrical measuring scoop and a hinged handle assembly which is comprised of a fixed inner handle portion and a foldable outer handle portion. The inner handle portion carries a latching channel at its outer end and the inner end of the foldable handle portion carries upper and lower latching fins. The cooperation between these fins and the latching channel retain the foldable handle portion of the handle assembly in either a folded storage position or an unfolded use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Company
    Inventor: Ronald C. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4788743
    Abstract: A door check for holding a vehicle door to any desired open position relative to the vehicle body includes a lever connected to the vehicle body, a casing connected to the door and receiving a roller holder for relative movement between the door and the vehicle body. The roller holder has a hollow portion for giving resiliency to the holder for eliminating the noises caused by the gap otherwise provided between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junji Okumura
  • Patent number: 4787120
    Abstract: A door pivot assembly comprising two portions. One portion is attached to a support beam for the door and has a vertical cylindrical pivot bearing and horizontal bearing surface. A V-shaped groove is formed on the bearing surface defining the closure plane of the door. The second portion of the assembly is attached to the door and has a pin for engaging the cylindrical bearing of the first portion. A V-shaped rib is provided on the first portion extending normal to the pin and at an angle to the door closure plane. This rib engages the groove of the first portion when the door is closed and biases the door towards a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Ryde Glass Company Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Peter Haigh
  • Patent number: 4781422
    Abstract: An adjustable clutch mechanism for fixing the relative position of two objects rotationally coupled relative to each other. The pressure resisting the change of rotational position submits to adjustment to permit facile movement but yet resists change from the selected position. The mechanism finds particular utility for holding a portable computer terminal's cover containing a display at a desired position relative to the base containing the keys. The clutch mechanism itself includes two sets of annular rings held against each other by a nut and bolt pressing against a spring which in turn presses against one of the rings. Tightening the screw applies greater pressure to the rings and prevents the relative rotation. The first set of the rings moves with the cover while the second set of rings has a fixed rotational orientation relative to the base. A tubular shaft, affixed to the base, passes through the center of the rings engaging tabs of the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Random Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kimble
  • Patent number: 4748671
    Abstract: A microphone boom hinge is comprised of a pair of identical members disposed in locking interfitting relationship, each member having an end to be stationarily disposed on an end of a microphone boom and the other end having a pivot pin and an aperture on spaced apart longitudinally extending ears and configured to rotate about a transverse axis to provide for articulatory motion of an assembled boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Telex Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Wiegel
  • Patent number: 4730364
    Abstract: A combined flush hinge and hold-open is described for hinging a panel flush with respect to a surface, such as may be used for hinging a liquid crystal display to a portable computer. The panel is connected to the surface through a pair of hinges, which are mounted on spring-activated follower parts which lie flush with the surface when the panel is closed. Upon rotation of the panel from the closed position, a cam surface on the panel, shaped in the form of an outward spiral, cooperates with an involute surface within the recess to displace the hinge outwardly, which permits the panel to rotate past the upper edge of the recess to opening angles greater than 90 degrees relative to the closed position, including up to 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Bondwell Holding Ltd.
    Inventor: Chan Tat-Kee
  • Patent number: 4703540
    Abstract: A window stay for use in mounting a window sash to a window frame, comprising a lower arm adapted to be pivotally mounted to the frame of a window at its proximal end and to the sash of the window at its distal end, a first upper arm adapted to be pivotally mounted at its proximal end to the frame of the window at a point spaced from the mounting of the distal end of the said lower arm, a second upper arm pivotally connected at its proximal end to the distal end of the said first upper arm and adapted to be pivotally mounted at its distal end to the said window sash at a point spaced from the mounting of the distal end of the said lower arm, and an intermediate control arm extending between the said lower arm and the said first upper arm and pivotally connected to each at points spaced from the ends thereof so as to direct movement of said first upper arm during opening and closing the the stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: Ronald P. Davis
  • Patent number: 4658547
    Abstract: A door includes a pair of pivot pins each positioned on the outer surface of a respective, facing edge-mounted resilient flange. Each resilient flange is adapted for flexible displacement relative to facing lateral portions of a support panel in which the door is to be mounted, while each pivot pin is adapted for insertion within a respective mounting aperture in each of said support panel facing portions. Each support panel facing portion is provided with a ramp positioned adjacent to a respective mounting aperture, with the taper of the ramps providing decreasing inter-ramp spacing in the direction of pivoting displacement of the door as it is opened. Positioned adjacent to each of the pivot pins on the outer lateral surface of each resilient flange and arranged so as to engage a corresponding ramp is a cam having a first beveled and a second flat outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew J. Oboza
  • Patent number: 4654931
    Abstract: A hinge device for tilting windows, particularly tilting windows for installation in an inclined roof, includes two hinge parts adapted to be secured to the frame of the window and its sash, respectively, the hinge parts having respective base plates, a guide on one of the base plates, the guide forming a part-circular guide channel, a slide member on the other of the base plates, the slide member corresponding in shape to the guide channel and defining a tilting axis spaced from the plane of the window, a plate element forming the concave guide on one side of the part-circular guide channel, the plate element being spaced from the base plate and secured thereto by rivets or similar pins to the base plate of the hinge part, an arched blade spring arranged in the space between the plate element and the base plate, the blade spring having curved end portions gripping partly around and held in place by two of the rivets securing the plate element, a guide pin on the hinge part having the slide member, the guide
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: V Kann Rasmussen Holding A/S
    Inventors: Siegfried Sonneborn, Manfred Handel, Ernst Mack, Carl F. Gerstrom, Peter Sorensen
  • Patent number: 4631778
    Abstract: A door and hinge mechanism particularly adapted for use in a conical hopper where the door may be on the down side of the hopper. The hinge pin connecting the fixed hinge element with the movable hinge element is placed under tension by springs such as Belville washers so that the hinge pin is not freely rotatably in the fixed hinged element. The movable hinge element includes a cam member which rotates about an off-set axis until the cam surface engages the hinge pin to prohibit further free rotation of the movable hinge. A force must then be applied to the door supplementing gravity to rotate the movable hinge element and hinge pin relative to the fixed hinge element to thereby open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Fuller Company
    Inventors: Florian T. Kocon, Kurt A. Geiger
  • Patent number: 4628568
    Abstract: A vehicle door hold open mechanism of the friction type may be assembled to the vehicle prior to the vehicle being subjected to an electrostatic priming process without coating the critical metal surfaces with primer. An arm member secured to the door includes non-conductive frictional material molded in a two sided arc. A pair of metal blocks engagable with the frictional material to create a frictional force are insulated from the vehicle body by elastomer blocks. When the door is opened, the frictional material slides between the metal blocks, compressing them to create a frictional hold open force. Neither the metal blocks, nor the frictional material, will receive a coating of primer during the priming process, as they will be insulated from the electrostatic charge received by the vehicle door and body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Lee, Daniel F. Raubinger, Peter L. Swanney
  • Patent number: 4620344
    Abstract: A friction applying assembly for a panel movable from a first position to a second position which includes a mounting plate rigidly secured to the panel with the plate having a non-circular aperture. There is a hinge support arm having at one end a non-circular aperture and a bolt arm having a head at one end, which bolt arm is inserted into the non-circular aperture of the hinge support arm to prevent relative movement between the bolt arm and hinge support arm. The bolt arm is elongated having a large diameter section adjacent the head and a smaller diameter section at the opposite end and a tapered conically shaped intermediate section between the large diameter section and small diameter section. An elongated bushing body having one end inserted into the non-circular aperture of the mounting plate is secured thereto to prevent relative movement between the bushing and mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Walter E. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4486917
    Abstract: A door closer includes a spring-loaded piston forming part of a conventional pneumatic dashpot, which retards the speed of a door during closing, and an elastomeric sleeve which is longitudinally compressed during opening of the door to retard the speed of the door during opening and to apply substantial resistance to further opening movement as the door approaches its fully open position. Closing speed of the door is also initially retarded by the compressed sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: National Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: James R. Johnston, Cordell E. Meiste
  • Patent number: 4456050
    Abstract: A hinge lock mechanism for lockingly joining two panels together at any angle comprising top and bottom arms with a slanted flat surface thereon. These arms are secured into the panels by clamping means that has a set screw therein that is urged against the slanted flat surface of the arms. This hinge lock mechanism forms a continuous edge at the junction of the two panels and cannot be seen from the desired side of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Robert Rivers
  • Patent number: 4415069
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for the cover of a chamber in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a stationary plate, a shaft connected to the plate and extending in a direction perpendicular therefrom, an actuating disc arranged on the shaft for rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, a damping disc rotatably arranged on the shaft between the plate and the actuating disc, means for urging the discs simultaneously toward the plate and a silicone grease provided between the plate and the damping disc. The grease contacts both the plate and the damping disc. The braking apparatus further includes means for uniting the discs and providing simultaneous unidirectional damped rotation by the discs only when the actuating disc is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt Eisemann
  • Patent number: 4392686
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an adjustable office chair in which the backrest may be adjusted in relation to the seat carrier. This adjustment is realized by means of an actuating lever and a clamping bolt arrangement which allows a linkage system to vary the position of the backrest in relationship to the seat. Once a desired relationship between the two parts is realized, the actuating lever is released and the linkage system is locked into a fixed position. This arrangement is realized by providing a spring system which displaces a clamp bolt in its longitudinal direction relative to the parts to be immobilized. The actuating lever, when activated, acts on a thrust bearing of the clamp bolt and displaces the clamp bolt into the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Steifensand Sitzmobel- und Tischfabrik, Inh.
    Inventor: Herbert Beer
  • Patent number: 4379360
    Abstract: A method of making a hinge having a tongue component with an integral pin portion. The tongue component is formed by rolling up a free end of a shaped sheet metal blank and intermittently shaping the rolled portion with dies. The roll or degree of rotation inparted to the free end of the sheet metal blank to form the pin should preferably be between 475.degree. and 550.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: John Papsdorf
  • Patent number: 4329917
    Abstract: In a combined ventilator and window for installation in the roof of a motor coach, a panel 18 is mounted on angularly movable arms 28 so that the panel 18 can be moved between a closed position, opened positions in which either side of the panel 18 or either end of the panel 18 is opened, and an open position in which the panel 18 is parallel to and spaced from its closed position. The arms 28 are pivotally mounted on the frame 10 at 38 and have detent means 36, 40 to hold them in their alternative positions. The other ends of the arms 28 are pivotally connected to brackets 46, 74 depending from the panel, the latter pivotal connections being adapted to permit relative movement between the arms 28 and the panel 18 additional to movement about the respective axes of pivotal coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Britax Weathershields Limited
    Inventors: Sidney E. Fisher, Keith R. Hunt